If you use any other type of screen material other than stainless steel screen mesh you arethrowing your money away!Yes,throwing your money away.
I have built fire pit screens for 34 yrs and have seen this time and time again. The choice is yours.

All metals, with the exception of the precious metals (stainless steel being in the precious metals group) will oxidized when exposed to oxygen and an electrolyte ( i.e.atmospheric moisture).It is a chemical reaction of the metal surface and intensified when hi heat is added from an outdoor fire pit is incorporated.The bottom line is, a mild steel screen mesh shall last a very short time and you will have thrown your money away.You will get many years of use with stainless steel.

Our screen is two time the thickness of any screen manufacture.
Both hold up well with Stainless steel being the better of the two because it shall not rust.
Our mild steel frames are thick 1/4" Thick x 1 1/4" Wide steel flat bar and shall hold up for many yrs under heat andcorroison.

NEW NEW March 2015! Square and Rectangular Spark Screens made from type 304 stainless steel.Frame is 1 1/4" x 1/4" thick flat bar along with
12 Gauge expanded metal screen.This screen will not puncture and is recommended for commercial application. This new screen has a new lift out top screen with a round bar lift out cook topmade from 7/16" 304 stainless round bar.The grill also lifts out for top loading.

This safety spark screen can be used with a fire pit or just set it on the ground and build a fire inside of it. The screen can be mild steel or stainless steel and we also now use screen mesh. Standard shelf sizes fit 30" and 36" fire pits. Larger sizes ship freight.

SWING AWAY HINGE STAINLESS STEEL SPARK SCREENSHINGED DOUBLE DOOR ROUND SAFETY SPARK SCREENSThis screen is the best screen on the market. Solid Stainless Steel. Single or double loading swing away doors.
*This screen is custom built one at a time to fit any size fire pit. Call for questions and to order.* Available in sizes 24" through 60"
* Made from 1/4" x 1" solid stainless steel or mild steel frame work
* Commercial fire screen 8 x 8 per sq inch: 026 stainless or mild steel wire
* We use the best slow cure high heat paint on the market for our screens.Painting is optional and not charge.